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Obama delivers speech at Paramount Theatre

3:15 p.m. CDT July 10, 2014

US President Barack Obama speaks on the economy at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, on July 10, 2014. Obama hailed new data showing the US economy churned out 288,000 jobs in June as a sign the long US recovery is gathering momentum. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: JEWEL SAMAD AFP/Getty Images)

AUSTIN -- President Barack Obama came to Austin for his sixth visit to the capital city as commander in chief.

The president landed in Dallas on Wednesday and was greeted by Gov. Rick Perry, even after the governor initially refused to meet the president at the airport. After a fundraiser and round-table in Dallas, it was on to Austin.

Obama stayed overnight in downtown Austin ahead of delivering a speech Thursday about the economy at the Paramount Theatre. Security vehicles and K9 units were sweeping the area near the theatre early Thursday morning.

People were lined up all night and morning to be the first ones inside when doors open at the Paramount at 9:45 a.m. Thursday. The event is free and open to the public, but people wanting to see the president speak waited in line Tuesday morning for tickets guaranteeing entry to the theatre.

Many slept outside on the pavement, and some didn't sleep much at all. Many of those people waiting to see the president's speech are his supporters. They say they chatted for hours about politics and other topics, and that it's easy to pinpoint why they're waiting to see Obama speak.

"It's he himself, just what he's tried to do. I wouldn't want his job. I don't know who would, but I respect him a lot," said Roni Kendall. "And whatever he wants to say, I want to see him and hear him speak."

"Getting to see a sitting president in my lifetime is remarkable, regardless of your political affiliation," said Melissa Prescott. "We live in the United States. It's a remarkable place to be and have that opportunity."

The president's speech started around 12:15 p.m. and was scheduled to last about two hours. The speech caused several street closures and bus detours throughout the area.

Wednesday was also a busy day for the president in Dallas as he met with faith leaders and politicians, most notably, Gov. Perry. Perry met Obama on the tarmac Wednesday afternoon at DFW International Airport. The closed meeting that followed lasted about an hour.

After the meeting, Obama told the media there's nothing that the governor indicated he'd like to see that the president would have a philosophical objection to. He said he'll need Congress to approve the $3.7 billion funding package he requested earlier this week.

After the meeting, Obama told the media there's nothing that the governor indicated he'd like to see that the president would have a philosophical objection to. He said he'll need Congress to approve the $3.7 billion funding package he requested earlier this week.